Menstruation is a natural thing experienced by a woman. Although it has been experienced since they were teenagers, not all women know what actually happens in the body during the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle is a change in a woman's body, especially in the reproductive organs. Menstruation occurs when the thickened lining of the uterus (endometrium) sheds due to the absence of fertilization of the egg. The menstrual cycle for each woman is different, it can occur between 23-35 days, but the average menstrual cycle is 28 days.
Hormones That Affect the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Basically, the menstrual cycle is divided into phases which are regulated by five hormones in the body. The hormones in question include:
- Estrogen
This hormone produced in the ovaries plays a very important role in the body, especially at ovulation in the female reproductive cycle. The hormone estrogen also plays a role in adolescent body changes during puberty and is involved in the rebuilding of the uterine lining after the menstrual period.
- Progesterone
This hormone works with estrogen to maintain the reproductive cycle and maintain pregnancy. Similar to estrogen, progesterone is also produced in the ovaries and plays a role in thickening the uterine wall.
- Hormone ptake off gonadotropin (Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-GnRh)
Produced by the brain, this hormone helps stimulate the body to produce follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
- luteinizing hormone (Luteinizing hhormone-LH)
Eggs and the process of ovulation are produced by the ovaries thanks to the stimulation of this hormone.
- Hormone pstimulate foil (Follicle stimulating hormone-FSH)
This hormone functions to help the egg cells in the ovaries mature and are ready to be released. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland at the bottom of the brain.
Phases in the Menstrual Cycle
First Phase - Menstruation
The phase in the first menstrual cycle usually lasts 3-7 days. At this time, the lining of the uterus sheds into menstrual blood. The amount of blood that comes out during menstruation ranges from 30-40 ml in each cycle.
On the first day to day 3, menstrual blood that comes out will be more. At this time, usually women will feel pain or cramps in the pelvis, legs, and back.
Pain in the abdomen which is also often felt in the first days of menstruation is triggered by contractions in the uterus. This uterine muscle contraction occurs due to an increase in the hormone prostaglandin during menstruation occurs.
The strong contractions in the uterus can cause the oxygen supply to the uterus not to run smoothly. Due to this lack of oxygen intake, cramping or abdominal pain is felt during menstruation.
Although it causes pain, the contractions that occur during menstruation actually function to help push and expel the lining of the uterine wall that sheds into menstrual blood.
The shedding of the uterine lining is also caused by decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone. At the same time, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) begins to increase slightly and provokes the development of 5-20 follicles (sacs that contain the ovaries) in the ovaries. Of the several developing follicles, there is only one follicle that continues to develop to produce estrogen.
It is during this period that your estrogen hormone will be at a low level. So do not be surprised if emotionally you are easier to get angry or offended during menstruation.
Phase Two – Pre-ovulation and Ovulation
In the pre-ovulatory phase, the lining of the uterus that was shed will begin to thicken again. The lining of the uterine wall is quite thin, so sperm can pass through this layer easily and can survive for approximately 3-5 days. The process of thickening of the uterus is triggered by an increase in hormones.
You may have thought that ovulation always occurs on the 14th day after the first cycle. But in fact each woman's ovulation period is not the same, depending on each menstrual cycle and several factors, such as weight loss, stress, illness, diet and exercise.
If you are planning to have a baby, it's a good idea to have sex with your husband during the preovulatory period until ovulation. Because, this is the best time that allows fertilization to occur. In addition, sperm can survive for approximately 3 to 5 days in the uterus.
Third Phase – Pre Menstruation
In this phase, the uterine lining thickens. This is because the follicle has ruptured and released the egg, forming the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum then produces progesterone which makes the uterine lining thicker.
If fertilization does not occur, you will begin to experience premenstrual symptoms (PMS), such as changes in emotional sensitivity and changes in physical conditions, such as breast tenderness, dizziness, fatigue, or bloating. In addition to these symptoms, the corpus luteum will degenerate and stop producing progesterone. If fertilization does not occur, progesterone and estrogen levels will decrease, the lining of the uterine wall will also shed to become menstrual blood.
Sometimes, symptoms of vaginal discharge may appear before menstruation due to hormonal changes before menstruation.
Sometimes, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of implantation bleeding, which is similar in symptoms to menstruation. If you experience irregular menstrual cycles, menstruation for more than 7 days, or no menstruation for 3 months in a row, immediately consult a gynecologist. The doctor will perform an examination to determine your condition. That way, any discrepancies that arise can be immediately detected and given proper treatment.